WHAT if you didn't need to spend upwards of $3000 on camera gear in order to take a good photo?

In fact you don't even need to spend any money at all, because the best camera is the one you have in your pocket: your phone.

At least that is the opinion of Getty photographers Cameron Spencer and Ryan Pierse.

Spencer was recently nominated as a finalist in the Nikon-Walkley awards for sports photography and Pierse has had his photos published in the Daily Telegraph, the New York Times, The Guardian and ESPN.

Both of these photos were taken on a smartphone by Getty photographer, Ryan Pierse.Source: Getty Images

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Comments on this story

SandraC of Perth Posted at 10:57 AM October 30, 2013

"Phonography" is nothing new, but it should be mentioned: that a good photographer can use any camera to its fullest capabilities.

Comment 1 of 10

gnangarra of perth Posted at 11:08 AM October 30, 2013

yup a $5 box of paints will paint a good picture the same way a $500 will paint one

Comment 2 of 10

James Dean photography Posted at 11:16 AM October 30, 2013

Terrible comparison, You have put filters over the phone images. Also the resolution is much better on a DSLR.

Comment 3 of 10

Andy Posted at 11:17 AM October 30, 2013

What's a shutter screen?

Comment 4 of 10

Charles Posted at 11:39 AM October 30, 2013

Is this article suppose to insult an already fragile industry? Lets take context into consideration of these pics that were taken by an iphone. Clearly the DSLR shots were all taken with a standard kit lens and all were shot to achieve one outcome..a crappy pic.
Also the angle the photographer used to demonstrate the DSLR pic as opposed to the smart phone is deceptive. I would like the photographer to use a high end lens and i would like to see the same shots taken in exact same angle. I would also like too see the non instagram type pics and how they hold out. Also light and other variables come into play. What would you use on a very overcast day where there are no shadows? what about a contrast scene? What about low light?
This is the reason why so many pros are returning to film, a discipline which requires the photographer to have talent and to understand and respect the medium, unlike iphonegraphy.

Comment 5 of 10

Dan of Melbourne Posted at 11:45 AM October 30, 2013

How about everyone stop living their life through their phones??!! Enjoy what is in front of you for yourself...with your own eyes. No one cares about artsy iPhone photos.

Couldn't agree more. I just got back from holiday and I took two cameras... expensive one and the phone. Good sites I took shots with both cameras... really was a mix bag... some better for some situations. The mobile phone was able to work better in the dark with lights (funnily enough), on moving targets and also at particular distances.

Comment 8 of 10

Danny of Sydney Posted at 11:58 AM October 30, 2013

Field Day ticket sales now spike.

Comment 9 of 10

Hashtagyolo of Brisbane Posted at 12:03 PM October 30, 2013

I want to point out, the fact that all the mobile phone photos have been edited, or seem to have been edited, where the SLR pictures haven't. An SLR pic is going to look 10,000 times better after it's gone through photoshop, so comparing an unedited pic to an edited one is just stupid and pointless.

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